Another great life group party at the Hohler’s!  Check out the birthday cake that Andy surprised me with, apparently my 27th birthday is still going. It was a special order to say the least. I felt a little funny cutting the belly open, almost like a C-section. You can image the jokes that came from it.  I also enjoyed the white elephant gift exchange thanks to Jason who gave me back the Outback gift card. I feel a little bad for Jim as he got an um… interesting T-shirt.

Today has been Christmas mania. I baked christmas cookies ALL day, some even from scratch. When Andy got home we delivered them to our neighbors, who seemed confused at the random act of kindness. One neighbor didn’t even believe us at first.  My favorite conversation was when we turned to leave one house and Andy said “God bless,” the lady responded without hesitation, “Oh, He has!” It’s funny how much joy we get from showing kindness to people. I can’t image how much joy God has felt from giving us His son. After we delivered cookies we got some hot chocolate and went to see some Christmas lights around town. We found one house whose lights are coordinated with Christmas music. It was a really impressive show. Little Dub seemed to like because he/she was moving all around, I’m not sure if he/she liked the music or the hot chocolate. (See, I’m working on calling the baby a girl.)

 Andy’s Christmas party was Saturday night. We had fun getting all dressed up for a fancy night at the Ritz. I even got a pedicure! Andy’s boss had such great things to say about him and his “positive spirit.” Thanks for all of your hard work Andy, you are a great provider!

My 27th birthday was Thurdsay the 18th and thanks to family and friends it was great! My day started with a present from God, really, my “check engine” light in my car went off after being on for about a day. I had prayed about it and poof it was off, my birthday was off to a great start. Later that morning  Andy walked into my classroom with red roses and stayed with my class for about 30 minutes. I love when he gets to meet my kids and put faces with names. He too got some advice from the infamous Treshaun. Treshaun told Andy that he should take me out on and date and then get married. I got some fun cards from my Kinder team and lots of fun phone calls. I especially loved all of the “Happy Birthday” songs on my voice mail. That night we went to the youth group’s Christmas party where the new youth pastor, Coley, had everyone sign  to me.

I also had a doctors apointment on my birthday, what a great gift. The doctor said everything seems healthy and the  baby is doing well. My stomach measures exactly 24 inches to match my 24 weeks, the baby’s heart beat was strong at 152, and I have gained 12 pounds. The doctor did say that I may need to give in to the urge to slow down and take a few more naps after I told her what my schedule has been like. I also told her how thirsty I’ve been and she informed me that I should be drinking about a gallon of water a day…A DAY. Yikes, that’s a lot of bathroom breaks. 

Wait, that’s not all. So Friday we headed down to Chris and Bridgit’s with our friends Blue and Kristen for a dinner  party/ sleep over. After an amazing meal (thanks Brigit) everyone in unison jumped out of nowhere with party hats, presents, and homemade carrot cake. Blue had an interesting twist on his party hat, but either way, I was surprised. Thanks to all of you who went out of your way to make me feel special, especially my wonderful husband! 

Where has the time gone? I can’t believe how fast this pregnancy is going. I’m a little sad about it because so far I’ve enjoyed being pregnant and I feel like the whole idea is only now just setting in.  So the latest on my pregnancy is that the “abdominal pain” in my upper right abdomen is no longer reserved for an 8/8:30 ache session. Now the pain is sharp, the skin on top of the area almost feels numb, and the pain comes at random. Just yesterday Andy and I were Christmas shopping when a few different times it stopped me in  my tracks and took my breath away for a split second.  Fortunately, it doesn’t seem to stick around long, just quick burst of pain and then it is dormant for a while. From what I understand this is still the effects of a “muscle stretching,” but there has been times when I’ve thought I must have a broken rib. Andy nick-named the the stretching muscle Ed. I wonder how much longer Ed will be with me. 

Also, big new, last Saturday night we were doing what all hip mid 20 year olds were doing, laying on the couch watching a movie, when Andy felt Little Dub move for the first time. He had been pretty discouraged about not being able to feel it and all at once he felt like he was part of the club. Speaking of movement, Little Dub’s movements are getting much stronger. Instead of a small flutter I’m starting to feel a little bumps that have more impact and last a little longer. For the most part I usually only feel something like a muscle twitch but every now and then he really stretches out. 

My last note, which is a little off topic, Andy and I saw the movie Fireproof Friday night and we were really impressed. The movie was done with none of the actors being paid and on a really small budget. They pulled off a good movie with a powerful message. The movie walks through mankind’s need for Christ and what a commitment marriage demands of us. If you haven’t seen it, go!

Thursday was our “level 2 ultrasound” and we were able to see some great footage of Little Dub.  Our appointment however wasn’t what I expected. First, Andy got lost and ended up a few minutes late. I was called back to the room and was already laying on the bed as the technician started getting the gear ready and turning off the lights and still no Andy. I asked if he would wait for my husband who would be there any minute and he reluctantly turned the lights on and said “you have two minutes.” I thought for sure Andy would miss our big chance to see the baby. Just as the two minutes were about up I heard Andy knock on the door and come in, he was so excited that he made it and I was…a little bothered that he didn’t grab the map I made for him. Anyway the tech got started and we asked about 15 questions in the first 3 minutes when he said, “I’ll explain things as I go.” At one point Andy asked a question to which the tech said, “I didn’t say that, you said that.” He wasn’t very friendly or as into Little Dub as we were. Either way we did get to see the baby move around and throw some solid punches. Andy was hoping to catch a glimpse of something that would clue him into the sex of the baby, but he wasn’t able to make anything out. I had asked to tech not to tell us, and I’m surprised he didn’t since he seemed so annoyed with us.  The tech told us that everything measured correctly and that our baby looked healthy. I was excited to see 10 fingers, 10 toes, and even the outline of ears. I have been praying every morning on my way to work with one hand on my belly and one hand on the wheel, “Lord please knit this baby together so that it may glorify You.” It was kind of like God winked at me and said, “I have been doing exactly that, knitting the baby together one day at a time.” The baby weighs about 1 lbs and 3 oz. After the appointment Andy took me to a few stores looking for maternity jeans as mine are officially retired for a few months. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

1. Offering to cook and clean up dinner for the entire pregnancy is well received.

2. My wife is the cutest pregnant lady in the world.

3. Rubber bands have more uses than I knew (helps a pregnant lady stay in her jeans).

4. I am not a fan of the “Old Man Dance”

5. I already feel like a dad!

6. When there is a bag of cookies in the house, they will get eaten fast.

7. Chase knows right where the baby is…if you put peanut butter on Jodi’s belly.

8. My wife is the cutest pregnant lady in the world.

9. I like to talk to my wife’s stomach.

10. Jodi used to have the deepest belly button in the world.  The bottom is slowly rising.

11. God is good.  (I know that should be higher on the list, but these are in no order)

12. I can’t feel our baby move.

13. No cravings, no morning sickness, no mood swings (God is really good)

14. My wife is the cutest pregnant lady in the world.

15. Sympathy weight is real.

16. Some muscles have to separate themselves from where they currently are.

17. – 20. refer to no. 2, 8, and 14.

I don’t know where all of my my holiday cheer is coming from, it must be a maternal thing. I am really excited about Christmas this year and couldn’t wait to put up our Christmas tree. We spent yesterday (Saturday) picking out a real tree, hanging lights and decorating the house. I always love our trees but this one is especially great for some reason, it is the perfect size and smells great. One of my favorite things about decorating the tree is reminiscing on our past 4 Christmas’s and the highlights of each year. We have been pretty good about getting an ornament that reminds us of the events from each year. I especially enjoy the stuffed crab claw given to us from our old neighbors that helps us remember our first 6 months of marriage in the Keys. I am hoping to find some kind of ornament of a pregnant lady to help us remember this year.

Here we are with our life group for a Thanksgiving gathering at the Hohler’s house. The food was great, especially the smoked turkey. Andy and I are very blessed to have such amazing christian couples in our lives.